Tuesday night’s Warriors vs. Timberwolves in-season tournament got off to a furious start as Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and Jaden McDaniels were sent off for their parts in a brawl that broke out less than two minutes into the game. Green got into the headlock on Minnesota center Rudy Gobert.
The result was a 104-101 loss for the Warriors, who were already without their three main players due to an injured Stephen Curry.
Gobert almost expected that kind of aggressive play, at least from one of the players involved in the altercation, because of Curry’s absence.
“Every time Steph doesn’t play, [Green] doesn’t want to play without his guy Steph, so he does anything he can to get ejected,” Gobert said after the game, referring to Green’s actions as “clown behavior” multiple times.
In the first 100 seconds of the game, McDaniels and Thompson tangled during a transition, with Thompson holding McDaniels’ jersey while the latter waited for a lengthy rebound. As they made their way down the court, McDaniels grabbed Thompson and neither one of them released.
As they started to push and swing each other around, McDaniels tore off Thompson’s jersey, and Thompson swung his arm at him.
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“I was just trying to crash for a rebound and [Thompson] kind of grabbed my collar. I was just trying to defend myself and get him off me,” McDaniels said. “The rest is what it is. I knew before that there was some chitter-chatter going back and forth. I didn’t take it seriously. I was just laughing. I guess it was a bigger deal to him.”
Green locked Gobert in a headlock while other players rushed toward the two players. Green was forced off Gobert by coaches and players, while others kept McDaniels and Thompson apart. Following a review, McDaniels, Thompson, and Green were each given two technical fouls, and Green received a flagrant foul.
According to ESPN Stats & Information research, it was the first game in the previous 25 seasons in which more than one player was sent off before either team scored.
Gobert stated that his involvement was intended to “de-escalate the situation.” To prevent things from getting worse, Gobert raised his hands when Green grabbed him.
Guard Anthony Edwards yelled at reporters as they entered the Minnesota locker room following the game, saying, “Slim is not guilty on all counts,” referring to McDaniels.
In addition to defending Thompson’s ejection, Warriors coach Steve Kerr provided an explanation for Green’s actions.
Following the game, Thompson and Green were unavailable for comment.
Green’s actions toward Gobert were “unnecessary and excessive,” according to crew chief Tyler Ford, who told a pool reporter that they qualified for a flagrant foul penalty 2.
Ford stated that in regard to Gobert’s involvement and communication with Thompson, Gobert “was attempting to separate Thompson and McDaniels and was ruled to be a peacemaker.”
Ford and the other referees examined every other participant and found no other behavior to be “unsportsmanlike.”
Gobert stated that he did not feel in danger during the altercation, but he still believes that Green will face consequences from the NBA.
Green was ejected for the second time this season. On Saturday, he was tossed against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
